Kopa Trophy nominations for young Reds duo
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have been included on a 10-player shortlist for the 2024 Kopa Trophy.
The Kopa Trophy, organised by UEFA and Groupe Amaury, owner of media companies France Football and L’Équipe, is an award presented to the best performing player under the age of 21.
Garna and Kobbie, who were both part of United’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2022, have been nominated for the first time, having established themselves as key members of Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Here are our 2024 Kopa Trophy nominees! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/4bkfIV7iaD
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 4, 2024
After being used mainly as a substitute in 2022/23, Garnacho made 50 appearances last term, scoring 10 goals, including our opener in the FA Cup final, and producing five assists.
Mainoo, who netted the decisive goal at Wembley, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, starting United’s final 22 league games in the heart of midfield and contributing memorable goals against Wolves and Liverpool, amongst others.
Both players were selected by their countries for the summer tournaments, with Mainoo starting the Euro 2024 final for England and Garnacho a member of the Argentina squad which won the Copa America for a record 16th time.
The winner of the Kopa Trophy will be announced at the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday 28 October.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal will likely be the frontrunner, following his exploits for Spain at Euro 2024, while Arda Guler – who starred at the same tournament for Turkey – has also been nominated.
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Karim Konate (RB Salzburg), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Savinho (Manchester City), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) and Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) round off the list of hopefuls.
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Named after legendary French footballer Raymond Kopa, the award was first bestowed in 2018, to Kylian Mbappe.
New Reds defender Matthijs De Ligt won the following year and, after a year’s break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pedri claimed the prize in 2021.
Gavi was the 2022 victor, while Jude Bellingham came out on top 12 months ago. Garnacho and Mainoo are also in contention for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award, which fans can vote for.